Paris Catacombs Tour - Skip the Line & Off Limits Access

Highlights

Plumb the shadowy depths of Paris as we dig up the City of Light’s darkest secrets. This two-hour group tour gives you skip-the-line access to one of the most unique sightseeing experiences on the planet.

Hidden deep within a maze of underground tunnels you’ll find a spine-tingling discovery: millions of skeletons arranged in bizarre and enigmatic configurations. Who are they? How did they get there? While most tours only scratch the surface, our passionate guides peel back the layers of the Catacombs to reveal bone-chilling tales of murder, massacre, revolution, and a few ghost stories of course!

Price Details

F.A.Q.

Is this tour suitable for everyone? Our Paris Catacombs tour involves a fair amount of walking, particularly up and down narrow spiral staircases (131 steps down and 83 steps up to the exit). Therefore we strongly discourage those with cardiac or respiratory problems from taking this tour. We also do not recommend this tour to those suffering from claustrophobia or similar nervous conditions, and the entry is forbidden to children under 8 years old and to pregnant women.

Why are there so few dates available? Entrance into the Catacombs is extremely limited, with only a small number of reservations allowed each month. However you can always ask our customer service team about alternative dates. They’ll do their best to accommodate your wishes.

What should I wear? The Catacombs are kept at a constant temperature of 57°F (14°C), so please dress accordingly. As the tour takes place in tunnels and stone quarries, shoes and pant legs are susceptible to small amounts of mud or dust. Due to occasional uneven and moist terrain, we recommend comfortable shoes with reasonable traction (no high heels nor flip flops).

Can I book a Private Tour of the Paris Catacombs? Sure! Simply get in touch with our customer service team to arrange a private tour with one of our expert guides (skip-the-line access and special access to sections closed the the public will be included!).

Meeting point & walking distance

The itinerary

Meet your guide at the Catacombs entrance and avoid the wait with your skip-the-line access. Following the long descent into the depths of the city’s underbelly, you’ll begin with an introduction as you stand in a former WWII bomb shelter.

Your guide will explain the origin of the tunnels, telling a fascinating story of how Paris was on the precipice of destruction in the 18th century and how one man was given the task of saving it. Your underground adventure will officially kick off as you meander from one shadowy walkway to the next, stopping to admire secret details that are visible only to the trained eye.

Your guide will have access to off-limits areas where you’ll discover curiosities including coded inscriptions, links to the intrigues of the French royal court, remnants of the French Revolution, and much more. Thanks to your exclusive access you’ll also discover the surprising result of a quarry worker who indulged in a secret artistic project deep beneath Paris, one that most never see. We can’t tell you more—we’d ruin the surprise!

Once you’ve entered the bone-filled ossuary, like a scene from your favorite horror flick you’ll encounter vast chambers full of bones and skulls that are sure to intrigue all those with morbid fascinations. Listen as your guide evokes the legends of some of the notable historical figures—and their spirits—who have found their final resting place in the Catacombs.

Gallery

Your guide

Knowing Paris inside-out comes with years of exploring, but above all a passion for discovering all the magic that a city has to offer. Our city guides are selected for their insatiable love for Paris, and their desire to share it with our visitors. Leaving no stone unturned, our guides are always ready to go the extra mile to ensure that those who explore with them get to discover the Paris that truly makes them tick.

Reviews

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5.0
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Based on 137 reviewsLast reviewed:
January 09 2019

LIVESAY KEITH 1
- Reviewed January 09, 2019

It was a really good tour, thank you!

Francis O
- Reviewed December 28, 2018

We really enjoyed Malaika as a tour guide. She spoke well and it was obvious she is very versed on the subject matter. We really enjoyed being able to have access to certain parts of the catacombs that we wouldn't have without a tour guide and Malaika was sure to share a lot of details. I would definitely recommend this tour with her as a guide.

Eçe S
- Reviewed December 06, 2018

I found the Catacombs tour with Marc well organized, informative and most importantly fun. Thank you, I absolutely loved it.

Grace R
- Reviewed November 14, 2018

It was definitely an experience out of the ordinary! I will be more then happy to recommend the Catacombs tour. I think that the entry to the restricted areas changes the experience completely. You can really get the most of it without being overwhelmed with other visitors and it seems like it’s the most interesting part anyway. The well adjusted comments and stories told by Abbie make you feel more conformable in this special environment ! Had fun as always. Very professional and very entertaining.

ROEHRIG C
- Reviewed November 12, 2018

Abby is a nice and warm people and she did a nice talk with a lot of strange stories about the Catacombs